The ’70s was a time to be alive in the United States and parts of Europe. When disco fever hit the music scene, as a result of dance music emerging from the US nightlife, the bump, and the hustle dance styles amongst a host of others followed suit. You can identify disco by its distinct style of merging four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, synthesizers, electric rhythm guitars, string sections, brass, horns, and electric piano. Through the reign of disco in the 1970s, artists like ABBA, Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Boney M, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, KC and the Sunshine Band, were among the popular performers and developers of disco music.
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The disco description wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the flamboyant and colorful attires that went with it. Their attires would often involve loose flowing dresses or pants that would allow ease of dancing, including shiny shoes that made the steps obvious.
Disco’s decline, unfortunately, came when a crate filled with disco records was blown up at the climax of a riot at a Major League Baseball promotion in Illinois, at an event now referred to as the Disco Demolition Night (The Guardian). This was in 1979 after the success of the popular disco movie—Saturday Night Fever (1977). Despite this, disco music remains an evergreen genre that sometimes makes comebacks in unexpected sources through eternal hits that once dominated the dance floor.
Here are seven disco songs that were hits in their time:
1. “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees (1977)
Written by Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb, and Barry Gibb
The Bee Gees—comprising Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb—gave us timeless hits with the best of them coming from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. “Stayin’ Alive” was the second single on the motion picture soundtrack, released in 1977. By February 1978, the song hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list, remaining there for four consecutive weeks.
The lyrics of the song tell about survival on the streets of New York with people crying out for help. This was merged with a catchy dance beat, Barry’s falsetto vocals, and a guitar riff with synthesizers. With its infectious groove and John Travolta’s iconic moves from Saturday Night Fever, the song became synonymous with the disco craze, and an unofficial disco anthem.
2. “Le Freak” by Chic (1978)
Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers
When the American disco band, Chic, released “Le Freak” it was met with positive uproar due to it’s mix of funk and disco. After its release, “Le Freak” remained No. 1 on the disco charts for seven weeks, achieving sales of 7 million while dominating the UK Singles Chart. It was the No. 3 song of 1979, according to Billboard rankings. In 2018, the Library of Congress recognized its cultural, historical, and artistic significance by including it in the National Recording Registry for preservation. The song’s catchy refrain and funky bassline made it a staple on dance floors.
3. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (1978)
Written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren
“I Will Survive” is the second single from Gloria Gaynor’s sixth album, Love Tracks, and it not only became a top-selling song but a disco anthem with hundreds of covers by popular artists and a choice song for talent show auditions. It was certified platinum by the RIAA after its intense sales following its release.
The song is about discovering personal strength after a devastating breakup. It spent three weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and in 2016, made it to the National Recording Registry through the Library of Congress. Thus, its empowering lyrics and disco-infused arrangement turned heartbreak into a defiant celebration of self.
4. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson (1979)
Written by Michael Jackson and Greg Phillinganes
The “King of Pop” released the hit single “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” as the first track from Off the Wall, his fifth studio album. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Billboard Soul Singles chart. The success of the song was even more pronounced when it was certified 5x platinum by the RIAA and occupied the No. 1 spot in nine other countries besides the US. This was the song that gave Michael his first Grammy Award and American Music Award.
“Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” showcased his transition from child star to pop icon. The track’s infectious energy and Jackson’s electrifying vocals ignited dance floors and marked his entry into the disco scene.
5. “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People (1978)
Written by Jacques Morali and Victor Willis
Village People released “Y.M.C.A” as the only single from their third studio album, Cruisin,’ in 1978. A medley with “Hot Cop” peaked at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart. Meanwhile, the song secured the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in early 1979.
“Y.M.C.A.” maintains its status as a favorite, often played at sporting events across the US and Europe. Audiences enthusiastically partake in the dance routine, spelling out the song’s title with arm movements. In September 2000, the song served as the wake-up call for the Space Shuttle during STS-106. Notably, it set a Guinness World Record in 2009, with over 44,000 people dancing to Village People’s live performance at the 2008 Sun Bowl game in Texas.
Ranked No. 7 on VH1’s list of The 100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 20th Century, “Y.M.C.A.” continues to receive honors. In 2020, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and selected by the Library of Congress for inclusion in the National Recording Registry due to its “cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.”
6. “Super Freak” by Rick James (1981)
Written by Rick James and Alonzo Miller
Rick James produced and performed “Super Freak” as a hit single from James’ fifth album, Street Songs, in 1981, swiftly gaining status as one of his defining tracks. In the song’s lyrics, the term “Freak” conveys a colloquial reference to those inclined towards sexual adventures.
“Super Freak” was a nominee for the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1982. Over time, the song’s influence extended further through sampling. MC Hammer sampled it in 1990, while the Black Eyed Peas incorporated it in 2020, and Nicki Minaj followed suit in 2022, adding new layers to its enduring legacy.
7. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA (1976)
Written by Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Benny Andersson
When “Dancing Queen” was released by the legendary Swedish supergroup ABBA, many took to the dance floor to gyrate to the coming-of-age hit track. In August 1976, “Dancing Queen” made its initial appearance as a single in Sweden, soon followed by releases across the UK and the rest of Europe just a few days later. The impact of the song was felt globally as it soared to the top of the charts around the world. The track marked a significant achievement for ABBA, securing its place as their sole No. 1 hit in the United States. Additionally, it triumphed as the chart-topper in various nations including Australia, Canada, and Denmark.
To date, the song is still known as ABBA’s most recognized song globally, which was solidified when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
Photo by Eric BOUVET/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
